MPs slam BBC for not acknowledging pay discrimination problem January 23, 2019 The BBC is facing fresh criticism over pay equality after the government slammed the broadcaster’s response to its report published in October. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) today blasted the BBC for not acknowledging the problem of equal pay within the organisation. Read more: BBC executive Jackie Edwards tapped to head new [...]
John Lewis to close historic Knight & Lee department store in Southsea January 23, 2019 John Lewis today said it is shutting its historic Knight & Lee department store in Southsea in the chain’s first closure for more than a decade. The department store said it will close Knight & Lee, which at 35,000 square feet (sq ft) is its smallest outlet, in July this year. Read more: John Lewis enjoys [...]
Failed tech startup Blippar to relaunch as Nick Candy’s venture firm comes to its rescue January 23, 2019 Property tycoon Nick Candy has bought up the remaining assets of failed technology startup Blippar after it collapsed into administration last month. Already a major shareholder in the business, Candy now owns the intellectual property assets of Blippar and its various brands, which his venture firm said would be deployed into a new business. Blippar's chief [...]
Patisserie Valerie shareholders consider legal action after company collapses January 23, 2019 Patisserie Valerie shareholders are planning to take legal action against the company after the high street chain collapsed into administration last night. Fundamental Asset Management co-founder Chris Boxhall told City A.M. that there is an “appetite” for action among investors after Patisserie Valerie chairman Luke Johnson failed to secure a cash lifeline from banks yesterday [...]
Neil Woodford increases stake in construction giant Kier after chief executive’s departure January 23, 2019 Neil Woodford has upped his stake in troubled construction outsourcer Kier Group by millions of pounds in the wake of the firm’s chief executive resigning yesterday. The veteran investor, a leading stakeholder in the firm, had been pressing for changes at executive level in the company after a botched rights issue drove its value to [...]
Pub group Marston’s scales back expansion plans as it looks to slash debts January 23, 2019 Marston's today said it will limit its expansion plans in a bid to reduce its £1.4bn debt pile amid continued economic uncertainty. In a trading update Marston’s said like-for-like sales rose 1.4 per cent in the 16-week period to 19 January, boosted by strong trading over the Christmas fortnight. Read more: Pub chain Marston's raises a [...]
Joules sees half-year sales rise thanks to strong online trading January 23, 2019 Fashion retailer Joules today reported a double-digit rise in profits for the half year, boosted by strong online trading. Joules said pre-tax profits for the 26 weeks to 25 November were up 14.7 per cent on the same period last year to £10.7m. Read more: Joules shines amid retail gloom as it prepares for Brexit Total [...]
Santander closures: 14 London branches to be shut down January 23, 2019 Santander has announced that 14 London stores will be shuttered as part of the bank's plan to close a total of 140 branches across the UK. Three branches will be closed in the Square Mile, with the Gracechurch Street, Leather Lane and Ludgate Circus banks facing closure this year. Read more: Santander cuts 140 branches – putting 1,270 [...]
From truffle trees to sunken treasure, beware of unregulated investments in your pension January 23, 2019 Self-invested personal pensions, or Sipps, give us the freedom to invest in what we want. But while this DIY approach to pensions appeals to many investors, there are mounting concerns that some Sipp providers are doing customers a disservice by allowing inexperienced investors to allocate their savings to unsuitable schemes. Liberty Sipp is the latest [...]
Social media influencers promise greater clarity over sponsored posts amid CMA crackdown January 23, 2019 A host of high-profile celebrity influencers have agreed to be more transparent about when their social media posts are sponsored amid a crackdown on surreptitious product endorsements. Singers Ellie Goulding and Rita Ora and models Alexa Chung and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are among the 16 social media stars who have given formal commitments to state clearly [...]